Christian World | Open Doors handed Downing Street a petition signed by more than a million people on Thursday, urging protection and justice for persecuted Christians in Africa

ACW | November 13, 2026 — Open Doors UK & Ireland handed a petition signed by more than one million people to Downing Street on Thursday, calling for protection for persecuted Christians in sub-Saharan Africa, the charity said.

The petition is part of the charity's three-year Arise Africa campaign. Open Doors says it calls on governments to deliver justice, protection and restoration for Christians facing violence across sub-Saharan Africa.

An Open Doors delegation will present the petition to European Union leaders on November 18 and to the United Nations on December 8, according to the charity's Australian website.

A Nigerian widow whose husband was killed by Boko Haram militants in 2014 after he identified himself as a Christian joined the Open Doors delegation, Christian Today reported. "They asked my husband whether he was a Muslim or an infidel in the Hausa language," she told the outlet. ACW is not naming her or her husband for the safety of her family.

Open Doors research shows that an average of 12 Christians are killed for their faith every day in sub-Saharan Africa, Christian Today reported.

No response from the British government appeared in the published reports.

Background: In July, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the persecution of Christians in Nigeria by 510 votes to one, Christian Today reported. ACW earlier reported that a Nigerian bishop said the government lacks the will to end attacks in Benue.

Why it matters: More than one million people signed the petition, according to Open Doors, which describes it as "a collective cry to governments globally" from the persecuted church in sub-Saharan Africa.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Open Doors UK & Ireland — Arise Africa petition; Open Doors Australia — petition hand-in schedule; Christian Today — widow joins Downing Street delegation

Photo: Open Doors UK & Ireland